Ingram Micro Vertical Markets Exec Mike Humke Leaves To Start Consulting Venture

Mike Humke

Mike Humke, largely credited with helping drive major growth for Ingram Micro's vertical markets as U.S. executive director of vertical markets, left the company to pursue other opportunities, CRN has learned.

Humke left the distributor a "couple of weeks" ago to pursue a consulting venture, as well as spend less time traveling and more time with his grandkids.

"I left at a great time with Ingram. Things are going great. I absolutely loved it," Humke said. "I just made the decision that it's time to do what Mike wants to do -- go deeper with the partners and go deeper with the vendors."

[Related: 30 Notable IT Executive Moves: September 2014]

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Humke had been with Ingram for four years and before that he was at Hewlett-Packard for more than 11 years, including helping lead the vendor's vertical market strategies for solution providers.

At Ingram, Humke helped drive the distributor's healthcare business from a couple of million dollars to just shy of a billion dollar business, he said. Ingram saw the addition of a GSA contract, new verticals and new markets for partners under his leadership.

Humke said that with his new consulting venture, he feels he can really help solution providers develop the partnerships they need to be successful in today's marketplace.

"I've got enough passion and love for this market and for the partners that I want to continue to help," he said.

He sees opportunities for solution providers to make a difference in the marketplace, particularly in verticals such as healthcare and education, as opposed to just pushing boxes. For example, he said instead of selling 1,000 laptops, a solution provider can focus on how schools are using those laptops and what training they need to maximize their potential. He said that he sees partnerships in particular as a way for solution providers to be able to accomplish that.

"I'm in a position to now be somewhat selective and try to really help the partners. The partners are at a point in their business where they are challenged. It's competitive -- you can't just compete on hardware or price. The real difference in the market today is building a service ... that makes a difference. That's the passion I'm going to try to go to."

Ingram Senior Sales Director Marty Battaglia will be in charge of vertical markets until a replacement for Humke is named, Ingram told CRN. Ingram Micro is "actively searching for a replacement," a spokesperson said.

"Although I did not know Mike personally, he had built a strong reputation as an expert in the public sector since his days at HP," Steve Hartzog, senior vice president and CTO of Herndon, Va.-based SBC Tech Partners, said.

Hartzog said his company works closely with the public sector and looks forward to any changes that might be made as Ingram moves forward, including potentially bringing more solution providers into the Public Sector Elite based on their potential. He said that SBC has been growing at 300 percent and would benefit from the same tools the Public Sector Elite have access to.

"We are watching this closely and are interested in what the new Public Sector division manager will bring to the table," Steve Hartzog, senior vice president and CTO of Herndon, Va.-based SBC Tech Partners.

Humke is confident the distributor and his replacement will be successful, adding that bringing in new perspectives on the industry is good for any organization.

"Ingram will do what they think is right," Humke said. "I don't think they're ever going to lose the passion for what they're trying to do. I couldn't speak higher of that organization. It's a tremendous place."

PUBLISHED OCT. 3, 2014